Today’s Devotional – October 31st (Laodicea Now! Part 2)

By admin On September 17th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – October 31st

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Laodicea Now! Part 2

To read part 1… “October 30th (Laodicea Now!)”

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PS_Kr%C3%B8yer_-_Hip_hip_hurra!_Kunstnerfest_p%C3%A5_Skagen_1888.jpgIn yesterday’s devotional (click here), only a certain portion of the message to Laodicea, found in Revelation, Chapter 3, was discussed. And so, today’s devotional will attempt to fill in the gaps.

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Listen to Revelation…. “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17

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Yes, this above verse speaks of the people of God as being content. Now whether this is speaking of contentment with earthly riches or being content with spiritual riches is not defined. But probably Christ is speaking of both here.

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Audience_hands_etropolis2014.jpg“This people honoureth Me (Jesus) with their lips” Mark 7:6

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Yes, those whose hearts are knit together with earthly riches are not so interested in forsaking all to follow Jesus!

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Perhaps we think we already have Jesus. After all, we may even attend church! We might even do a Bible study each morning! We might even give tithes! And many possibly serve on a committee down at church! And so, we are fully immersed in a Christian culture!

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So what more could a Christian ask for?

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Audience hands – cropped & altered – Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain

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ENJOYING THE WORLD

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheers!_(3162940696).jpgThe big problem comes when a church-goer no longer strives with all their heart, to become Christ-like! After all, doesn’t God compare the Christian life to a race to be run? And doesn’t He compare the Christian life to a battle to be fought? And a war to be won?

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But when we feel like we can merely “walk” that race, we cease from keeping ourselves in fitness, so as TO WIN that Prize! And when we no longer watch, and wait, and battle against the unseen forces which come against us, then eventually we will lay down our armor, and join in with the unbelieving world, as they live for this selfish life!

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Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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AN UNSAVED CHURCH

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheers!_(3162940696).jpg

And so, Christ pronounces the following critique upon His professed followers… “knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17

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Incredible! This above language is the very language spoken about lost souls! This is not the description of saved persons! No, the Laodiceans are naked of Christ’s robe of righteousness. We are spiritually blind! We are poor and destitute of heavenly riches! Yes, the church of Laodicea is full of unsaved persons!

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Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

 

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DEEP REPENTANCE NEEDED

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheers!_(3162940696).jpg

And so, just what is the remedy? What prescription does Christ commend to this wretched church?

David's sorrow - Wikigallery - Public Domain

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Listen… “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Revelation 3:18

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So here we see the remedy! Gold tried in the fire speaks of the purification process that God brings His people through, to purify our hearts! It speaks of the fiery trials we must patiently endure, so that we may say along with Job, “…when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold!” Job 23:10

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Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheers!_(3162940696).jpg

GARMENTS OF SALVATION!

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And along with those fiery trials, God also begins to clothe us with the clean and washed robes of Christ’s righteousness!

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Listen… “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,” Isaiah 61:10

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Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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EYES NOW OPEN!

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheers!_(3162940696).jpg

And then, as we endure those heavy trials, our eyes become opened to finally https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christ_and_the_pauper.jpgbegin to see the truth of the Bible. Oh yes, we already saw many truths in Scripture!

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But now we begin to see the totality of what it means to be a follower of Jesus!

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With eyes wide open, we now see the battle raging all around us!

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And yet, in the midst of the battle, there now miraculously appears (in our mind’s eye), a spiritual pathway which ascends onward and upward out of the din and mire of this dark, sinful, and confusing world!

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Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

Christ and the blind Pauper – Mironov – cropped image – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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DOOR IS STILL OPEN!

gospel ship

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Yes, here is the Good News of Salvation! This is the door of escape which now stands wide open for any man, woman, or child who is tired of living in the midst of this selfish, angry, and hateful world, which seems to be growing more selfish, more totalitarian, more angry and more hateful with each and every passing day!

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Listen… “Giving thanks unto the Father…Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son:” Philippians 1:12, 13

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This above verse tells of the high, holy, and heavenly habitation which God translates all true worshippers into!

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And yet, the Gospel ship doors will soon close! And so there should be no delay to get on-board this spiritual Ark, which is Heaven-bound! And the place of embarkment is within your very own soul! Yes, this Gospel ship is coming by to get you! But please do not refuse! Just come aboard. Our ticket required is the Gospel of Salvation! Our guide-map is the Bible. And our passport is a mustard-seed of grace & faith!

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_bible.jpg

ODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Bring me out of my Laodicean lukewarmness! Show me the Way of true Salvation! Take away all the vain pursuits out of my life, and make me into a single-minded follower of Jesus…

ABOVE PICTURE: Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart” or you can also read… January 10th (Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

 

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THE END

.picture - soldiers of the cross - armor up!

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

 

 

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FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS

Five Wise, Five Foolish Virgins Stars

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Now as learned in the article, The Five Wise Virgins Stars, The Five Wise are in a semi-circle, as if gathered around the Glorious Crown of 12 Stars. This symbolizes, the importance of the Christian Race, and the Glorious Crown of Victory, which will be given to each and every one who finally overcomes the world.

Son Of Man Constellation

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Now just as the Five Wise are gathered around this Crown of Victory, the Five Foolish are turned away from the Crown, as if to say, “I’m not interested!” And isn’t so often that the vast majority of so-called Christians, have little interest in this crown! Quite often, they can be heard saying… Oh, I got my crown when I got baptized. Jesus won the race for me!”

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This kind of lie is easily believed, since it a lie, made partly of truth! Yes, Jesus did get the victory for us. But nevertheless, the evidence that I am a true-worshipper of God, is that I will ultimately gain the victory over my sinful flesh, with all its affections and lusts.

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Listen… “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24

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ABOVE STAR-CHART (constellations found on Wikipedia and Bible constellations drawn in by this website) – Sign of the Son of Man – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Wise Virgins Stars” or you can also read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jacob_Wrestling_with_the_Angel.jpg

TOMORROW:

“November 1st (Jacob’s Trouble)”

Jacob – Wikimedia-US – Public-Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. 

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THIS IS STUDY #302 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc…. 

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